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SELMA Kaitlin Brightwell may only be a freshman this year at Selma High, but she has lofty goals.

She wants to become a criminal defense lawyer and use the latest Crime Scene Investigation techniques to overturn unjust sentences and give citizens their freedom back.

I want to help innocent people," she said. "I want to do a good job by getting the guilty ones put in jail and innocent ones out of jail.

Brightwell recently received a letter in the mail that would give her a head start on that journey. It was a nomination packet to attend the National Youth Leadership Forum: Law and CSI in Washington, D.C. this July. The forumgives students hands-on learning in those areas with activities such as a mock trial, Supreme Court simulation and forensic science case to solve.

Kaitlin's mother, Crystal Brightwell-Ruff, said she thinks attending the seminars will give Kaitlin a taste of her future career and help mold her into a confident lawyer someday. Brightwell-Ruff should know, since she was able to attend the leadership forum when she was a senior at Selma High in 1994.

When the nomination letter for Kaitlin first arrived, Brightwell-Ruff said they waited to reveal the contents of the packet until they went to her parents home.

Her grandma and grandpa were both involved in getting me there and my mother still had my old file from when I went 25 years ago, Brightwell-Ruff said.

When she attended, the forum focused on politics and the legislative, judicial and executive branches she recalled.

It was an exciting time to be in the nations capitol, as Clinton had just been nominated. Not Hillary, her husband, she says to clarify to her daughter. When the nomination came in, I knew all about it. It was incredible when I went. I knew we had to figure out a way to send Kaitlin because it shepherded me into the area I work in now.

Brightwell-Ruff went on to work as a paralegal, and after talking about her work over the years, Kaitlin became interested in fighting for those whove been wrongly accused.

The innocent dont deserve to go to jail, and if lawyers dont do a good job in court, then innocent people are sent to jail, she said.

Aside from the forum itself, Brightwell said she's is excited just for the experience of traveling such a lengthy distance on her own.

Its my first plane ride, she said.

It was mine, too, but thats kind of the point, Brightwell-Ruff said. Its to get them out there and see how the real world works. You get to meet all new people that are interested in the same things you are, network, learn from those people and see what their goals are.

To be able for Brightwell to attend, the family is raising money to pay for the trip by sending letters seeking sponsors.

Its definitely an honor, but its something were paying for, Brightwell-Ruff said as they look to meet an April 15 deadline and raise $6,000 to cover travel expenses.

Brightwells teachers say they agree the young freshman will flourish after attending the forum, as shes already demonstrating leadership abilities.

She works hard no matter what. She gives the same effort all the time and shes a great person to have in the band, Band Teacher Janna Hall said.

Since Brightwell plays clarinet and only so many are allowed on the field during performances, she didnt always get to be part of the shows. However, shed come to class day after day putting in the same effort, her teacher said.

Instead of feeling like Im the alternate and I dont have to work as hard, she was right in there and showing up for practice all the time," Hall said. "I was really happy when she didnt have to be an alternate anymore. Thats just the kind of person and student she is. Shes very mature and very intelligent for her age. Shes already a good leader and shell thrive there.

Brightwells AVID teacher, Becky Zavala, calls her a bright young lady that always positive.

She always has a positive attitude and is always willing to help out her fellow students," she said. "Shes never let to class and never walks in without a smile on her face. I know that she will have a bright future ahead of her."

Although Brightwell is excited at the prospect of attending the forum, shes also thinking of her long-term career goals.

Id like to get into a University of California college," she said. "Theyre hard to get into, but I know they have good law programs.

Once shes graduated, Brightwell said shed like to return to the area and practice law locally.

After hearing about her mothers work and learning about the Innocents Project, Brightwell said her interest in law was cemented.

The Innocents Project is where lawyers spend a certain amount of hours each year investigating and trying to get innocent people out of jail, she said.

Brightwell said she's researched and advocated for lawyers to add two more hours to the project so not a lot of people would be in jail that are innocent and didnt do anything wrong.

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Selma student nominated for law and CSI forum - Hanford Sentinel

LAKEPORT >> Lake County District Attorney Don Anderson determined that Clearlake Police Officer Michael Dietricks action was justifiable when he shot and killed Joseph Melvin during a 2016 struggle.

Anderson based his decision on wounds suffered by the officer during the encounter. Citing the fact that Dietrick was losing consciousness due to a head injury and could rightly assume that he was in danger, Anderson found his decision to fire his weapon to be supported as justifiable homicide.

Joseph Melvins violent conduct and his ability to violently overpower the officer with such force and skill, was such that a reasonable person in the same situation would be in actual fear of their life or being inflicted with great bodily harm, Anderson noted in his report.

The incident occurred on March 29, 2016, when Dietrick responded as a backup unit for CPD Officer Jessie Scott to an alarm at 3292 Park Street in Clearlake. While investigating the circumstances of the call,Dietrick encountered Melvin in a bushy area very near the residence .

When Dietrick approached, Melvin jumped up and attacked the officer. Melvin started to beat the officer with a steel 12 inch flashlight, causing Dietrick to suffer lacerations and abrasions to his forehead. At this point he started losing consciousness.

Reportedly fearing for his life, Dietrick, fired his weapon, striking Melvin four times. Melvin was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Lake County District Attorney Investigation Division conducted an independent investigation into the incident. Also, an internal investigation into the incident was conducted by the administration at Clear Lake Police Department.

Dietricks body camera recorded the events both audio and partial video. Witnesses were interviewed and the decision was also based upon a crime scene investigation and medical reports.

The investigation determined that Dietrick had drawn his weapon and ordered Melvin to put his hands out and lay on his stomach. As Dietrick notified dispatch that he had one at gunpoint Melvin began to retract his arms. Dietrick holstered his firearm and attempted to grab Melvins left arm. At this point Melvin lunged up and started attackingDietrick.

Dietrick reportedly drew his taser. but had difficulty deploying device.

Eventually Dietrick fired four rapid rounds from his Glock .40 cal. semi-automatic pistol into Melvin. Three rounds hit Melvin in the left side chest and one round on the left/front side of the neck.

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Melvin immediately fell to the ground ending the fight.

Melvin, age 46, was a long time residence of the Clearlake, last staying with his wife and friends on Fresno Street in Clearlake. He was a large man standing at 66 weighing 185 pounds with a lengthy history of criminal offenses, including crimes against police officers, thefts and possession of controlled substances.

At the time of the incident Melvin reportedly had a very high level of methamphetamine and amphetamine. He also had methamphetamines and a methamphetamine smoking pipe in his sock and pants pocket.

Such a high level of methamphetamine could have contributed to his violent reaction in this incident, Anderson noted in the report.

Officer Dietrick suffered a laceration on his forehead; a hematoma on the back of his head; a hematoma on the top right side of his head; and a hematoma on the left side of his head. There was a moderate amount of blood on his face that covered the front of his uniform chest and stomach. There was also blood on his radio and body cam.

A burglary investigation was conducted at 3292 Park Street by the Clearlake Police Department. Evidence at the scene indicated the suspect of the burglary entered the residence through a window and tripped the alarm system.

The suspect removed several items from within the residence which were later recovered in the red duffle bag at the shooting scene and in a pile across the street.

Melvins shoe prints were located at the burglary scene and also matched those leading to and around the shooting scene the stolen items.

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Officer cleared in death of Clearlake man - Record Bee

Sandusky Register

CSI: Boston Massacre Sandusky Register VERMILION Fifth grade students at Sailorway Middle School recently conducted their own crime scene investigation. By collecting evidence and questioning witnesses, the detectives had to answer a huge question: Did the Boston Massacre occur on ...

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CSI: Boston Massacre - Sandusky Register

The University of Indianapolis Provost Office was the scene of a crime recently as the Indianapolis-Marion County Forensic Services Agency (IMCFSA) trained a new forensic scientist and provided a real-life learning experience for criminology students.

UIndy partnered with the Marion County Crime Lab to host a training scenario for Crime Lab Technicians and UIndys Criminal Justice program. (Photos by Jennifer Zentz)

To the untrained eye, it might have been a disturbing sight: blood spatter, bullet holes and even a dummy murder victim, shot to death and slumped behind a chair. The staged scene was all part of the IMCFSAs training exercise, conducted in partnership with UIndys Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, designed to prepare novice crime scene technicians for the real thing.

Weve taken over the provosts office, pretty much, said Christine Ondek, supervisor of Marion Countys Crime Scene Unit. Its an extremely nice office, too. I felt bad throwing evidence around here!

The training exercise involved 35 pieces of evidence. The trainee was assessed on every step, from the interview with the detective to crime scene video and other observations. The exercise was the culmination of four months of training, and the fourth and final mock crime scene before the trainee is sent out to process real crime scenes.

Starting in 2018, the University of Indianapolis will offer a Crime Scene Investigation (CSI) track for criminal justice majors to meet growing demand in forensic science careers. The program was developed in consultation with IMCFSA Director Mike Medler and staff, said Associate Professor Kevin Whiteacre, chair of the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice. The CSI track ensures graduates will meet IMCFSAs accreditation requirements for hiring crime scene techs.

Whiteacre, who teaches criminal justice, says there is growing interest in the field because the natural sciences are becoming a larger part of criminal justice, and there is an increasing expectation from judges and juries for more analysis of physical evidence.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts the forensic science field will grow by more than 24 percent over the next eight years. Its a growing field, Whiteacre added, explaining that while non-sworn civilians can become crime scene technicians, a sworn officer in a smaller community may also have to play that additional role.

Several UIndy students came to observe the mock investigation throughout the day, including Anthony Castel, a freshman graphic design major and chemistry minor.

Im really interested in both forensic art and crime scene investigation, so ideally I want to learn the tools of the trade, said Castel, who is studying to become a forensic artist.

Interest in forensic science has spiked due to the popularity of television shows like CSI, Bones and others. But while those fictional dramas may spark curiosity, Ondek says the reality is much different.

People dont realize how long were out on crime scenes. This crime scene is probably going to take her seven hours to complete. On a TV show, its done in half an hour and its solved and we have the guy in custody. Things just dont happen like that, she said.

Ondek leads a team of 11, but the crime lab is looking to hire several more by the summer. Our staff is really overworked, so to be able to have an extra set of hands out there helping us is extremely important, she said.

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University of Indianapolis provost office hosts mock crime scene - UIndy News

BILLY JEAN LOUIS , blouis@baxterbulletin.com 6:34 p.m. CT March 15, 2017

Mandy Pender, trauma program manager for Baxter Regional Medical Center, explains brain functions to Pinkston Middle School students at the Baxter County Fairgrounds on Wednesday during the school districts crime scene investigation event. The district has been hosting the event for about eight years.(Photo: JOSH DOOLEY/THE BAXTER BULLETIN)Buy Photo

Pinkston Middle School students paid close attention and took notes while stopping at multiple tables in the education building: The goal was to decode a fake crime scene involving their principal.

No one was hurt the students weretrying to find out if it was a crime or an accident.

Hosted at the Baxter County Fairgrounds on Wednesday, the annual crime scene investigation (CSI) program an event based on the popular TV show CSI taught students about heart rate, fingerprints, blood types and more, while incorporating science, math and health.

The offsite learning event, which has been around for about eight years, is an integrated project between Pinkston and Mountain Home High School, giving 320 sixth-graders an opportunity to learn from approximately 160 high school students.

The students spent about eight minutes at each table before they moved on to the next one.

Each student received clues from the tables they visited, so they couldmake an inference on what happened to principal Allyson Dewey.In addition to getting clues, students were given lessons on how to use the materials they learned to solve the crime.

For example, Reagan Prince and Maegann Ingle, both 16, were stationed at table 12 to teach parts of the human brain. The girls used a sheep's brain, saying that it is similar to the humans brain, except for the size.

Baxter Regional Medical Center and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences also contributed in teaching about the human brain. They provided a mega brain, helping them understand what the different parts do.

At table 12, the students learned about the dark spots of the brain, or gray matter: They had to wear goggles, and if they wanted to touch the organ, they put on gloves. The presenters at table 10 helped students recognize the types of blood and table 19 focused on the human skeleton.

According to a handout, Dewey was knocked out unconscious at the Baxter County Fairgrounds while looking for a room to hold an ACT Aspire party for sixth-grade students. When she woke up, she didn't know what happened. The handoutstated that she walked into a "dark room" and looked for"a light switch."

Jacob Czanstkowski, 12, said the event is interesting.He said he learned about fingerprints, blood types and how to match a victim with the suspect.

You learn a lot of new stuff, he said.

Pinkston Middle School students use straws to blow cotton balls across a table Wednesday at the Baxter County Fairgrounds to learn about lung function during the school districts crime scene investigation event. The students learned to solve a crime scene.(Photo: JOSH DOOLEY/THE BAXTER BULLETIN)

He said its "a little confusing" because hes not provided a lot of time at the station, but its a lot of fun. Its better than school. The sixth-grader said hes interested in computer science and health: Math is his favorite subject.

Czanstkowski said he learned about the brain and how to take a pulse.

Abby Melton, 11, said she learned aboutfingerprints. The sixth-gradersaid she's interested in becoming a counselor, but she would consider being an investigator because its cool to investigate.

Carol Wegerer, teacher and head of CSI, said the students do all the work. School officials are onlythere to guide them.

Its a great project. I love to see how our kids get involve with the sixth-graders. But whats really amazing is that the teachers really do just step back and watch, she said. Our kids make it happen.

At about 1:45 p.m., the students were told who committed the crime. It was a delivery man who was declined a teaching position at the middle school.According to Wegerer, the man put a box somewhere that Dewey could trip on it.

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CSI event teaches students how to solve crimes - Baxter Bulletin